Chartplotters

[BigLew]

dlb511,

One thought you may consider is that some of the units from Garmin come loaded with all the coastal charts of the US. This information is a few years old and frankly I don't know about the other brands at this time. Anyway, if a move or possible sale of the unit at a future date is possible, then you, or a buyer of the unit, would not have to look at buying more charts. I remember the Garmin 198 and some of the others were real nice units . Some had interanl antenna and thus easier to install; an external is needed when the display is located inside a pilot house or something where it does not have direct (line of sight) access to the sky. I believe you mentioned you have a CC.

[McGillicuddy]

Just one more thing, if you're leaving your console uncovered, an internal GPS antenna is fine, but if you're putting a t-top on your rig, consider an external antenna or the t-top could at the very least impede your satellite communication...

[BigLew]

Hey dlb511
You and the rest of us might be interested in the information at this site.
http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/waas.html

And some of the other factors at play with GPS. It's good, but not perfect. Also, keep in mind that some of the enhancements can be turned off at the "flick of a switch" in the event of national security, a.k.a. 9-11!

But just imagine, position accuracy virtually any place on this planet to within +/- 3 ft- incredible!!

PS- I've used my hand-held on an commercial flight and have known where, what altitude and speed we are traveling. This all before 9-11!

Good luck!

[dlb511]

Thanks Big Lew. I wondered what WAAS was all about. I appreciate all of your information. Now I just have to make up my mind. Then look for the best deal. No one has said anything pro or con about a combi unit, chartplotter/sounder. I guess the combination is probably the way to go as it seems most units are configured that way.

[BigLew]

I worked at Boat US/West Marine just after the acquisition a few years ago. (The emp. disc. was quite something, but not any more.)

Anyway, I was able to spend a fair amount of time going over the different electronic units and really taking the time to compare them from a variety of perspectives. As far as depthsounders/ff go, unless I was going to bite the bullet and go for a Furuno (I have a NOS unit waiting to be installed), I would probaly go for a Garmin unit.

Here is my reasoning. 1. They are a quality manufacturer of electronics and GPS in particular. Marine products are not their only market, in fact, marine is one of their lessor markets. 2. They want market share and are willing to pay for it to get product out there while they build product recognition in the customer's mind to match their position in the GPS/Pltter market. Keep in mind that they want some of the commercial market as well. 3. They just seem to be a little better in customer attentiveness and I have seen them not only acknowledge a poor design/ execution of a product, but stand behind it up to and including giving the customer an upgrade or newer version product when the customer has had a problem that could not be quickly corrected.

I just wish some of the others would step up and do the right thing.

With regard to a combo unit, I like the idea at first and there are some compelling reasons to but that way; economy, space limitations, current draw, etc. However, having said that, I come back to the fact the the odds of loosing all of it if something should go wrong in the display unit or CPU board (most likely more often) you loose all of the associated information until the unit as awhole is relaced/repaired. Sometimes that is not such a great situation to be in on the water, waves pounding, storm on its way and 15+ miles from land.

[gofastsandman]

Not to derail the thread, but please keep your eyes open. I`m looking for a used Furuno 1650 combo unit. I`m most concerned with marking bait, and that unit does that really well.
Thx,
GFS

[McGillicuddy]

Roger that, GFS.
dlb, I certainly am not suggesting that you don't scout around for good deals on ebay or craigslist or whatever, just saying make sure the unit comes with the transducer or the antenna. The "right" Furuno transducer might run $250 or more and likewise replacement external antennas for "x brand" GPS might get up there, also... Regarding the combo option, I tend to lean toward Big Lew's way of thinking. If GPS fails I can still find bait and bottom, and if the sounder fails I can still fish my saved marks. And keep the pliers and soda cans away from the compass. McGill